. . World News – CA – B. . C.. . Tourism companies are preparing for a sluggish holiday season

press on B. . C.. . Residents staying during this holiday season are likely to further constrain the province’s hard-hit tourism and hospitality sectors.

Provincial health officer Bonnie Henry said Jan.. November that B. . C.. . Residents should not be before 7. December doesn’t necessarily travel outside of their communities.

« I strongly encourage people to limit their travel as much as possible, in all areas of the province, » Henry said on Aug.. November. « This is not the time to travel for recreational or non-essential purposes, be it from the lower mainland to the island, between inland and north, or to and from other provinces in Canada. We have to stay there. ”

On 7. On November 11th, Henry issued an official travel ban on sports within the Fraser Health and Vancouver Coastal Health regions to outside these zones, and even on travel between these two health regions. However, it did not legally prohibit travel for non-sporting purposes.

The government wording encouraged some ski resort operators, such as Big White Senior Vice President Michael Ballingall, who told BIV that there was no official travel ban and that the policy was merely advice.

« You use the term ‘highly recommended,' » he said on Dec.. November before adding that his resort had taken marketing initiatives in Metro Vancouver. « There’s no point teasing the market when the right thing is not to travel. What we’ve always said is, « When the time is right and you feel safe traveling, a bed will be waiting for you. « . ’”

He added that some British Columbians canceled bookings at his resort after Henry advised staying home, while others from Quebec and Ontario made bookings, in part because Swoop continued to operate nonstop flights between nearby Kelowna and Toronto offers.

Prime Minister John Horgan has asked Canadians in other provinces not to travel to B.. C.. . unless it is an essential business. Communities like Tofino and Ucluelet have issued statements urging visitors to stay away.

Whistler Blackcomb is located in the Vancouver Coastal Health area, unlike Big White, so visitors from Vancouver would stay in the same health area.

The Vail Resorts, Inc. . The NYSE (MTN) owned attraction has implemented health protocols, and Jennifer Smith, corporate communications manager, told BIV that skiers and snowboarders will need reservations to climb the mountain as soon as it opens on Jan.. November opens.

« Holders of passport products have from now until the 8th. December has a window in which they can set their priority access days, « she said. “We expect most people to get the ski days they want most of the time. ”

Destination British Columbia (DBC) announced on Jan.. November 11th, the province stopped marketing the province to British Columbians, Maya Lange, vice president of global marketing for the marketer, told BIV.

Your organization usually markets the province internationally rather than to British Columbians as that is usually the role of local target marketing organizations. However, DBC quickly turned around and began marketing domestically in the summer when the province’s restart plan allowed for intra-province travel. DBC started on Dec.. October launched a ski-focused marketing campaign to interrupt when Henry warned against non-essential travel within B.. C.. . even if it is not expressly prohibited.

Even if the number of cases falls and the province encourages travel again, the resort operators are likely to suffer a sharp drop in sales, partly due to the sharp drop in visitors in advance.

Another reason for this is that DBC statistics show that locals spend far less money than international visitors.

« In a normal year, international visitors generate around 51% of the [tourism] turnover, but only 26% of the visits, » said Lange.

This year, one possible scenario is that travel restrictions are extended in December and Metro Vancouver residents take up lodging and try to enjoy local activities.

Speculation suggests that the provincial anti-gathering order could ban attractions like the Canyon Lights exhibit in Capilano Suspension Bridge Park and the Bright Nights Christmas train in Stanley Park, but Henry has not yet addressed whether those attractions can work.

Henry and Health Secretary Adrian Dix are expected to be available in the media today, potentially providing clarity on which holiday attractions can be opened. •

Tourism, Mask, British Columbia, Tour Operators